On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Forest Park
Accessory structures/sheds; additions; all new construction; roofing; siding; decks; fences; garages; gas piping; solar panels; swimming pools; signs; electrical work (IBI permit); plumbing installations (HCHD permit); mechanical equipment.
Sheds 100 square feet or less do not require a building permit; however, they must be placed in the required rear yard or buildable area conforming to front and side yard setbacks and the Forest Park Zoning Ordinance.
- Exempt Sheds 100 square feet or less do not require a building permit; however, they must be placed in the required rear yard or buildable area conforming to front and side yard setbacks and the Forest Park Zoning Ordinance.
Note: No additional standalone exempt work list was published on public-facing pages reviewed; confirm specific projects with the Building Department at 513-595-5264.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Three sets of construction documents plus PDF for residential construction
- Site plan based on surveyor boundary survey
- Structural drawings
- Letters of availability from Cincinnati Water Works and Metropolitan Sewer District (single-family homes)
- Building code
- 2019 Ohio Residential Code (residential); Forest Park ordinances FPCO 150, 152, and 154; applicable Ohio Building Code for commercial projects.
- Permit validity
- All exterior work must be completed within six months of permit issuance; permits may be revoked if work halts for six months without a called-for inspection unless an extension is requested in advance.
- Owner-builder
- Not explicitly published on public-facing pages; contact Building Department for guidance.
- Contractor requirements
- State OCILB licenses required for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades. Electrical work requires permit from Inspection Bureau, Inc. No Forest Park-specific general contractor registration requirement identified on public-facing pages reviewed; confirm with department.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine permit type and access the appropriate application through the OpenGov portal or the Building Department website.
- 02 Prepare required documents: for residential construction, three complete sets of construction documents plus one PDF version are required, including site plans based on a surveyor boundary survey, floor plans, structural details, and system descriptions.
- 03 Single-family homes need letters of sanitary sewer and water availability from Cincinnati Water Works and Metropolitan Sewer District.
- 04 Submit application online through OpenGov or in person; attach digital drawings as a single PDF when submitting online; digital drawings must be submitted the same day as the application or the application will be voided.
- 05 Pay the minimum processing fee of $295 (non-refundable) at submission; online payment by eCheck or credit card (2.99% surcharge plus $0.99 transaction fee); in-person payment by cash, check, or credit card.
- 06 A confirmation email is sent when the online application is received.
- 07 Obtain separate electrical permit from Inspection Bureau, Inc. (513-381-6080) and plumbing permit from Hamilton County Health Department (513-946-7851) before starting those trades.
- 08 Receive building permit after review; permit is emailed to applicant when processed online.
- 09 Schedule and pass all required inspections; all exterior work must be completed within six months of permit issuance.
- 10 Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of final inspections.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$295
02
Plan check fee
Embedded in the permit fee structure; no separate plan check line explicitly identified on public-facing pages reviewed.
03
Permit fee formula
Minimum processing fee is flat $295; additional fees by permit type; confirm full schedule with department at 513-595-5264.
04
Reinspection fee
$85 missed inspection fee for failure to schedule a called-for inspection before covering work.
Online payments by eCheck or credit card (2.99% surcharge plus $0.99 transaction fee for credit card); in-person cash, check, or credit card; minimum processing fee is non-refundable.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building Department (phone)
- bldgdept@forestpark.org (email)
- Electrical: Inspection Bureau, Inc. (phone)
- Plumbing: Hamilton County Health Department (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Building Department office hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Required inspections per permit type; all exterior work must be completed within six months; final inspection required before Certificate of Occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Forest Park permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Forest Park, OH? ▸
Accessory structures/sheds; additions; all new construction; roofing; siding; decks; fences; garages; gas piping; solar panels; swimming pools; signs; electrical work (IBI permit); plumbing installations (HCHD permit); mechanical equipment.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Forest Park, OH? ▸
Building permit fees in Forest Park, OH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $295. Fees are calculated as: Minimum processing fee is flat $295; additional fees by permit type; confirm full schedule with department at 513-595-5264.. Plan check fee: Embedded in the permit fee structure; no separate plan check line explicitly identified on public-facing pages reviewed..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Forest Park, OH? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Forest Park, OH, follow these steps: 1. Determine permit type and access the appropriate application through the OpenGov portal or the Building Department website. 2. Prepare required documents: for residential construction, three complete sets of construction documents plus one PDF version are required, including site plans based on a surveyor boundary survey, floor plans, structural details, and system descriptions. 3. Single-family homes need letters of sanitary sewer and water availability from Cincinnati Water Works and Metropolitan Sewer District. 4. Submit application online through OpenGov or in person; attach digital drawings as a single PDF when submitting online; digital drawings must be submitted the same day as the application or the application will be voided. 5. Pay the minimum processing fee of $295 (non-refundable) at submission; online payment by eCheck or credit card (2.99% surcharge plus $0.99 transaction fee); in-person payment by cash, check, or credit card. 6. A confirmation email is sent when the online application is received. 7. Obtain separate electrical permit from Inspection Bureau, Inc. (513-381-6080) and plumbing permit from Hamilton County Health Department (513-946-7851) before starting those trades. 8. Receive building permit after review; permit is emailed to applicant when processed online. 9. Schedule and pass all required inspections; all exterior work must be completed within six months of permit issuance. 10. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of final inspections.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Forest Park, OH? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Forest Park, OH. The following work is generally exempt: Sheds 100 square feet or less do not require a building permit; however, they must be placed in the required rear yard or buildable area conforming to front and side yard setbacks and the Forest Park Zoning Ordinance.. Note: No additional standalone exempt work list was published on public-facing pages reviewed; confirm specific projects with the Building Department at 513-595-5264. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Forest Park, OH? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Forest Park, OH via: Building Department, bldgdept@forestpark.org, Electrical: Inspection Bureau, Inc., Plumbing: Hamilton County Health Department.
last verified April 2026
source City of Forest Park Building Department ↗
entry id permits/ohio/hamilton/forest-park
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Forest Park Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.